Social Security: Serving Those Who Serve Our Nation

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Social Security:Svng ths Wh

Sv o Nn

AMERICAN GI FORUM GOLD STAR WIVES OF AMERICA, INC. BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN VETERANS NATIONAL MILITARY FAMILY ASSOCIATION

PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA SOCIAL SECURITY WORKS STRENGTHEN SOCIAL SECURITY

CAMPAIGN UNION VETERANS COUNCIL, AFL-CIO VETSFIRST, A PROGRAM OF UNITED SPINAL

ASSOCIATION VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA VOTEVETS.ORG

MAY2011


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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First and foremost, we express our gratitude to the veterans and their family members across America who spoke with

Social Security Works about their personal experiences as Social Security beneciaries. We are especially indebted to

the individuals who generously have allowed us to prole their experiences in this report: Sherman Gillums, Jr., severely

disabled as he prepared to deploy to Afghanistan; Terence Moakley, a disabled Vietnam-era veteran; Vivian Johnson

and Sarah Slayton, both military widows caring for young children; and World War II veterans Dabney Montgomery,

87 years old, and Will Parry, 90 years old.* We thank them for their generosity and commitment to this project.

We also thank the many other individuals who contributed their time and expertise to this eort, especially:

Bernard Edelman of Vietnam Veterans of America who provided extensive comments on this report; Brigadier

General Pat Foote, USA (Ret), who shared with us her expertise about women veterans; and Susan Prokop of

Paralyzed Veterans of America, who both gave extensive comments and helped in numerous other ways, including

connecting Social Security Works with many groups serving veterans. In addition, we acknowledge our debt to

the Social Security Administrations Oce of Policy for the information and expertise provided by Anya Olson,Oce of Retirement Policy.

e following organizations have partnered with Social Security Works for this report: American GI Forum; Gold

Star Wives of America, Inc.; Blinded Veterans Association; National Association of American Veterans; National

Military Family Association; Paralyzed Veterans of America; Social Security Works; Strengthen Social Security

Campaign; Union Veterans Council, AFL-CIO; VetsFirst, a program of United Spinal Association; Vietnam

Veterans of America; and VoteVets.org.

Finally, we acknowledge with gratitude, the reports principal author, Kelly A. Olsen, MSW, consultant to Social

Security Works, who spoke with veterans and their families across America for this project; Daniel Marans, researchassociate with Social Security Works, who provided extensive research and analytic support; and Melissa Byrne, pro-

fessional sta with Social Security Works, who rst suggested a report on this topic.

Any errors in this report are those of Social Security Works alone.

Nancy J. Altman

Eric R. Kingson

Co-Directors,

Social Security Works

1825 K Street NW, Suite 400

Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 955-5665

www.strengthensocialsecurity.org

* Veterans and their family members interviewed for this report and quoted herein shared their stories exclusively as individuals andnot as representatives of any veterans organizations with which they may be aliated or from which they may receive earnings orcompensation of any kind.


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Executive Summary: Veterans Stake in Social Security..........................................................1

Key Messages from Veterans and eir Families .................................................................... 2

Report Overview ................................................................................................................... 3

Veterans Surviving Young Widows and Children .................................................................. 4

Young Survivors of Army Chief Warrant Ocer Christopher C. Johnson ...................5

Young Survivors of Army Specialist Brent Slayton .......................................................7

Severely Disabled Veterans and eir Families ....................................................................... 9

Disabled Veteran Sherman Gillums, Jr. and his Two Young Children ........................11

Disabled Veteran Terence Moakley, his Wife, Daisy, and their Youngest Daughter.....13

Retired Veterans and eir Spouses or Widow(er)s.............................................................. 15

Retired Tuskegee Airmen Dabney Montgomery and His Wife, Amelia......................16

Women Veterans ................................................................................................................. 18

Strengthen Social Security for Veterans and eir Families ..................................................20

Endnotes .................... ........................................................................................................21

Veterans Population by State............................................................................................... 25

Data Highlights from Social Security: Serving ose Who Serve Our Nation ....................BC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SOCIAL SECURITY WORKS


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1SOCIAL SECURITY: SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE OUR NATION

Executive Summary:

Veterans Stake inSocial Security

S

ocial Security is one of our nations most impor-

tant programs serving veterans and their depen-

dents and survivors. Social Security currently

pays benets to over 9 million veteransabout 4 in 10veterans today.1 Furthermore, according to the Social

Security Administration, veterans and their families to-

gether make up 35 percent of the adult Social Security

beneciary population.2

Since 1957, Social Security has provided the modest

base of guaranteed monthly income that underlies

other veterans benets.3 e average monthly benet

of Social Security beneciaries who are veterans was

$1,289 in 2010, or about $15,500 a year.4

Social Security also provides life, death and retire-

ment insurance to the majority of American workers

and their dependent family members. Workers and

their dependents covered by Social Securitys insur-

ance protections include Active Duty and Reserve and

Guard members from all branches of the Department

of Defense (DOD) and those in the Department of

Homeland Securitys Coast Guard.

e vast majority of veterans who are not Social

Security beneciaries at this time will become so in the

future. Social Securitys insurance protections apply to

veterans dependent family members as well. For ex-

ample, the vast majority of the Active Duty communi-

tys 700,000 spouses and 1.2 million children, and the

Total Selected Reserve communitys 400,000 spouses

and 650,000 children, are eligible for Social Securitys

disability and life insurance benets if a service mem-

ber retires, becomes severely disabled, or dies.5

Despite Social Securitys longstanding and vital impor-tance to the well-being of Americans who serve our na-

tion and their families, little attention has been given

to their stake in Social Security reform. Veterans and

their families who shared their experiences in this report

explain why Social Securitys future is a vital personal

issue, one of particular importance to all those who vol-

unteer to place themselves in harms way in service to

our nation. eir stories illustrate that:

Social Security is essential to veterans and their families.

Social Securitys disability and life insurance protec-tions are especially important to those who placethemselves in harms way in service to the country.

Every dollar counts; even small Social Security ben-et cuts would mean real sacrice in basic necessitiesand quality of life.

Political leaders should restore scal discipline with-out going back on this countrys promises to veter-ans, including thepromise of Social Security.

Social Security Works and the Strengthen Social SecurityCampaign, a coalition of more than 300 national and

state organizations, with memberships totaling more

than 50 million Americans, have joined with veterans

organizations to issue this report, encouraging political

leaders to give special attention to the stake of veterans

in the future of Social Security. Our nation depends

on an all-volunteer military force, whose members and

their families depend on Social Security.


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2SOCIAL SECURITY WORKS

e willingness with which our young people

are likely to serve in any war, no matter howjustied, shall be directly proportional to how

they perceive veterans of earlier wars were

treated and appreciated by our nation.

-PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON

Key Messages from

Veterans and TheirFamilies

Although individuals of dierent ages and life

experiences, living in dierent geographic re-

gions of the United States, the veterans and

their families proled in this report echoed commonthemes about why their stake in the future of Social

Security is a personal issue, as well as a national one.6

Soc Secut s essent to vetens nd the m-

es. ey depend on Social Security to make ends

meet and build a better future.Social Security disability

benets enabled paralyzed veterans Sherman Gillums,

Jr. and Terence Moakley to make choices that restored

their economic independence. Social Security benets

allowed retired veteran Dabney Montgomery to payfor emergency home repairs. And Social Security sur-

vivors benets give Vivian Johnson and Sarah Slayton,

both young military widows, the ability to invest in

their childrens care and development.

Soc Secuts dsbt nd e nsunce po-

tectons e espec mpotnt to those who pce

themseves n hms w n sevce to ou count.

Todays military families, who face repeated combat

tours and long separations, rely on Social Security todeliver monthly guaranteed income in the event of

death or severe disability.

Eve do counts. All those interviewed said that

even small Social Security benet reductions would

mean real sacrice in basic necessities or quality of

life. For some, reductions would mean cutting back

on groceries. Others said it would force them to drop

out of college or take their children out of sports or

grief counseling.

Potc edes shoud estoe fsc dscpne

wthout gong bck on ths counts pomses to

vetens, ncudng the pomse o Soc Secut

Veterans and their families said leaders willing to con-

sider benet cuts do not understand the uncovered

costs associated with a catastrophically disabled vet-

erans home care; how carefully a young widow has to

budget in order to raise a family on her own; or the

worry of a retiree who doesnt know how a spouse wilmake ends meet after he dies.


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The remainder of this report is organized

around the three major populations of vet-erans and their families receiving Social

Security benets:

Veterans surviving young widows and children;

Severely disabled veterans and their families; and

Retired veterans and their spouses or aged widow(er)s.

We address these populations in turn, briey outlining

benet provisions and any issues of special relevance,

then eligibility basics, number of beneciaries, and av-erage monthly benets.

Veterans and/or their dependents follow each over-

view, sharing their personal experiences as Social

Security beneciaries. e report also discusses

considerations of particular importance to women

veterans. We conclude by urging political leaders to

fully engage veterans and veterans organizations in

the national discussion about Social Securitys future;

we further urge political leaders to give the stake ofveterans in the future of Social Security the overdue

attention it deserves.

Before each interview for this report, we briefed the

interviewee on the broad parameters of the current

national Social Security debate. We let them know

that political leaders are considering a range of Social

Security reform options, some of which would reduce

benets. We further explained that options reducing

benets vary by timeframe and target populationthat

is, some pertain only to certain types of beneciaries,

others only to future beneciaries, and yet others only

to certain types of future beneciaries.

We made clear to interviewees that regardless of

whether the changes would aect them individually,

sharing their perspective provides political leaders a

window on what benet cuts might mean to others

like themselves.

Report Overview


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Social Security is the nations largest and most

important source of life insurance for youngfamilies. It provides a worker earning between

$25,000 and $30,000, supporting a spouse and two

young children with life insurance with a present value

of well over $400,000.7 e programs young survivors

benets are particularly important to the 4 in 10 active

duty members who are married with children and the

1 in 20 who are single parents.8 Recognizing the im-

portance of survivors benets to military families, the

Social Security Administration expedites the process-

ing of survivors benet claims for the families of servicemembers who die while on active military service.9

e number of American servicemen and service-

women killed on active duty in the wars in Iraq and

Afghanistan was 5,885 as of February 20, 2011, leav-

ing behind an estimated more than 4,000 children.10

Some estimate, however, that over any given period,

the number of veterans who die before the age of 35

after returning home is as much as three times higher

than the number killed on active duty in Iraq andAfghanistan.11 erefore, the number of children

grieving the death of a parent with recent military ser-

vice is likely to be much larger.

Surviving family members of veterans are eligible for a

lump-sum death gratuity payment from the Department

of Defense, and monthly Dependency and Indemnity

Compensation (DIC) benets from the Department o

Veterans Aairs (VA). If the service member was eligiblefor military retirement pay, then surviving family mem-

bers may receive Survivor Benet Plan (SBP) payments

which are reduced by the amount of DIC awarded.12

Families eligible for Social Security benets and com-

pensation from the Department of Veterans Aairs

Veterans Benets Administration receive both in full.13

Social Security benets for the young survivors of veter-

ans are based on the same eligibility rules and benet for-

mula applying to young survivors in general. 14 Mothersand fathers benets are paid to widow(er)s or surviving

divorced spouses who are providing care to one or more

surviving children under age 16 or disabled.15 Under

current law, child survivor benets normally end when

children reach age 18 (unless they are disabled or are a

few months short of their high school graduation).16

Specic data are not available on the benets Socia

Security pays to veterans young survivors. Nevertheless

monthly amounts paid to veterans young survivorslikely are comparable to those Social Security pays

young survivors on average$842 for mothers or fa-

thers and $747 for children.17

e personal experiences of two young widows, Vivian

Johnson and Sarah Slayton, demonstrate the impor

tance of Social Security to veterans young survivors.

Veterans Surviving

Young Widows andChildren


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young survivors as a way to reduce gov-

ernment spending, Vivians message to

Washington is forceful and unequivo-

cal: Benets should not be cut; they

should be increased, if anything!

Although Vivian is grateful because

Social Security gives the Johnson fam-

ily some quality of life after losing their

breadwinner, Vivian says their current

income is nonetheless quite modest: e children

and I would like to visit Chriss grave in Arlington

[National Cemetery] and to see his family in New

Mexico, but we cant aord to travel.

Vivian believes political leaders who want to cut Social

Security should nd somewhere else to save money.It is not the childrens fault, she says. We already

sacriced our loved one. He sacriced his lifeand

in a way, a big part of oursfor this country. He had

faith the country would take care of his beloved family

if he didnt come back from the war. It is an insult to

our fallen warriors and to those still ghting that our

government would even consider reducing benets for

families like ours. We are left grieving with the hugeloss that Chris death brought to our lives.

It is an insult to our fallen warriors and

to those still fighting that our government

would even consider reducing benefits forfamilies like ours.


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O

ne of the youngest members of his Airborne

School class to jump, Army Specialist Brent

Slayton held a top secret security clearanceand had received numerous military intelligence awards

during his career. Just 24 years old in 2007 and in his

fth year of military service, he died while serving on

active duty at Colorados Fort Carson, where he and his

family were stationed.

SERVICEMEMBERS NAME:Brent Slayton

RANK:Army Specialist. Died while serving on

active duty in Colorado.

IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SECURITY:

Brent Slaytons widow, Sarah, and two sons receive

about 40 percent of their income from Social

Security survivors benets.

Young Survivors of

Army SpecialistBrent Slayton

At the time of his death, Brents wife, Sarah, already

had her hands fullworking full-time and caringfor the couples two young boys aged 5 and 6. eir

younger son, diagnosed with autism, epilepsy and

Attention-Decit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD),

received Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and re-

quired Sarahs special attention and care. And not long

before Brents death, the couples third child died dur-

ing delivery in an Army hospital.

My husbands military salary was barely enough to raise

a family on to begin with, which is why our son wasgetting SSI and I was working full-time. Even when you

add up our veterans and Social Security benets now, its

less than what my husband was making, says Sarah.

After Brents sudden death, I had to learn how to do

it by myself, she explains. Today, at the age of 29,

Sarah describes life after his death: Im a single mom


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with two boys, 8 and almost

10, one with special needs. Since

2008, Ive been working part-time

and going to college full-time. I

knew I had to go back to college

for a better future.

Social Security benets are drasti-

cally important to the well-being

of her sons, Sarah says. Its about

40 percent of our income. I dont know how we would

have made ends meet without it. What dierence

would a small percentage cut have made to their lives?

I couldnt have gone back to school to better myself

at all. You have to think about how much child care

costs. Its so expensive; when youre a single mom, ev-ery dime counts... every singlepennycounts.

When I moved o post after my husband passed away,

my landlord asked how much I made a month. When

I told her, she said, I dont know how you survive; I

make more than that in a week. Sarah exhales and

adds, And in situations like mine, my children have

been through something traumatic. Its extremely hard

for me to budget for sports like baseball and soccer.

eyre really expensive for us, but I have to do it be-cause my sons need things that are positive for them, to

keep them on the right track.

When asked whether the Department of Veterans

Aairs deceased veterans life insurance payment cov-

ers a lot of costs for surviving families, Sarah quickly

put those benets in context: eres expenses you

dont realize unless youve been through itfuneral

costs beyond what the Army covers, grieving programs

for the kids to attend, and moving expenses. Most im-portantly, the life insurance is there to help give the

surviving spouse the time he or she needs with their

children while taking care of nal aairs and learning

to take care of everything alone.

When asked what she thinks of members of Congress

who propose cuts in guaranteed Social Security

benets for future young survivors like herself as a

way to reduce government spending, Sarah says: e

people in Washington who are more fortunate want

to take benets away so it can make them look good

I see lots of single moms like myself struggling to go

to college, or who want to go back to school and cantbecause they dont have child care help. If Congress

wants to do something about government spending

then maybe they should help single parents go back to

school and better themselves, maybe give them a way

to feed their kids while theyre doing it. [Members o

Congress considering benet cuts] are not thinking

about these children at all.

My husbands military salary was barely

enough to raise a family on our veterans

and Social Security benefits [are] less thanwhat my husband was making.


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9 SOCIAL SECURITY: SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE OUR NATION

Severely Disabled

Veterans andTheir Families

S

ocial Security is the nations largest and most im-

portant source of disability insurance for American

families. A worker earning between $25,000 and

$30,000, supporting a spouse and two young childrenholds disability insurance, through Social Security, with

a present value of well over $400,000.18

Social Security benets for disabled veterans and their

dependent family members are based on the same eli-

gibility rules and benet formula as apply to workers

and their families in general, and the Social Security

Administration expedites the processing of disability

claims for military service members who become dis-

abled while on active military service. 19

e U.S. has led two ongoing major military operations

since 2001 and 2003, respectively, and over recent de-

cades experienced major improvements in trauma and

psychiatric medicine. ese developments have elevat-

ed the importance of Social Security disability benets

to veterans and their families.20

Today, approximately 771,000 veterans receive Social

Security disabled worker benets, averaging $1,100-$1,200 per month.21 Benets are generally payable to

workers and their dependents if a worker has a medi-

cal condition that prevents work for a year or more.

Benets usually continue until the disabled worker is

able to resume working on a regular basis.

Social Security disability claims among veterans and

their families are expected to grow. e Department

of Veterans Aairs Veterans Benets Administration

received 1,013,712 disability claims in 2009 and proj-

ects to receive 1,318,753 in 2011a 30 percent in-

crease.22 Although the Department of Veterans Aairsand Social Security Administration make disability de-

terminations independently, and ones determination

does not guarantee the others, growing numbers of

Department of Veterans Aairs disability claims usu-

ally parallel growing numbers of veterans and their de-

pendents receiving Social Security disability benets.

With 4 in 10 active duty members married with chil-

dren and another 1 in 20 as single parents, many who

become disabled while on active military service counton Social Securitys disability program to provide income

for their dependent family members as well.23 Spouses

or divorced spouses providing care to one or more of

the disabled workers children (under age 16 or disabled)

are generally eligible for mothers and fathers benets.

Childrens benets based on a breadwinners disability

normally stop at age 18 (unless children are disabled or a

few months short of their high school graduation).24

Specic data are not available on the benets SocialSecurity pays to disabled veterans dependents.

Nevertheless, monthly amounts paid to disabled veterans

dependents likely are comparable to those Social Security

pays disabled workers dependents on average$244 for

mothers and fathers and $318 for children,25 signicantly

lower than the average young survivor benet amounts

described above (see Veterans Surviving Young Widows

and Children section of this report).


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An unmarried worker severely disabled before age 22

may receive Social Security benets based on a dis-

abled, retired or deceased parents earnings record, if

it results in a higher benet than would be payable

based on his or her own.26 Because the minimum

age for enlistment in the United States military is

18 (17 with parental consent), this special provision

for higher benets is especially relevant for young

Americans in uniform.

Once disabled workers (veterans or non-veterans) be-

gin receiving Social Security disability benets, they

may participate in Social Securitys special work incen-

tive programs. ese programs are open to all disabled

workers and are designed to help persons with disabili-

ties attempt to return to the workforce without riskingloss of their Social Security or Medicare benets.27 Some

veterans participate in Social Securitys work incentive

programs in addition to work incentive and training

programs oered by the Department of Veterans Aairs

and other agencies and organizations.28

e experience of Sherman Gillums, Jr. demonstrates

how Social Security provides guaranteed monthly in-

come for severely disabled veterans and their families

while Social Securitys special work incentives an

training programs coordinate with other programs to

serve the needs of severely disabled veterans.

Like Sherman Gillums, Jr.s experience, Terence

Moakleys is instructive of how Social Security benets

can help veterans rebuild their economic independence

after a severe disability. Moakleys experience also high-

lights the economic challenges facing dependent child

beneciaries as they reach college age and the retire-ment security concerns facing spouses who take time

away from the paid workforce to serve as a disabled

workers primary caregiver.


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SERVICEMEMBERS NAME: Sherman Gillums, Jr.

RANK: Chief Warrant Ocer 2, U.S. Marine

Corps, until catastrophically injured.


Social Securitys disability benets and Ticket to

Work program served as a family lifeline, help-

ing him return to school, nd work and return to

self-suciency.

Disabled Veteran

Sherman Gillums, Jr. and hisTwo Young Children

During his short but successful career in the

Marines, Chief Warrant Ocer 2 Sherman

Gillums, Jr., who enlisted at the age of 17,ascended quickly into leadership, and, in the process,

earned two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation

Medals, one Navy and Marine Corps Achievement

Medal, and a War on Terrorism Service Medal. Four

months after the September 11, 2001 attacks, as he

prepared to deploy to Afghanistan with the 1 st MarineDivision, this proud father of a 2-year-old daughter and

6-year-old son sustained a cervical spine injury during

a three-vehicle collision that paralyzed him and ended

his military career at age 29.

Today, at 38, Sherman holds a masters degree in Global

Business Strategies from the University of San Diego

and works as Acting Associate Executive Director for

Veterans Benets at Paralyzed Veterans of America in

Washington, D.C.29

His road to self-suciency was paved by willpower

and endurance beyond that ever previously needed in

his military career. Experiences acquired during his

military service, however, served him as he regained

basic functioning, learned to drive again, navigated the

transition from military ocer to civilian professional,


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Before we sign on the dotted line have a

disabled veteran right there [with the recruiter]

to tell those kids what its like living on disability

benefits now and how much less theyll get if

theyre disabled.

moved across the country, worked

full-time in a demanding occupa-

tion, and most important to him,

remained active in his kids lives.

Social Security disability benets

help make a full life possible for

countless other catastrophically

disabled veterans like Sherman.

Five years of Social Security, he

says, served as the bridge to quality of life for me and my

children that ultimately saved the government money.

Sherman explains, I lived alone. Instead of eating

fast food, I could aord a food delivery service to pro-

vide me with balanced meals to rebuild my health.Instead of risking bed sores by transferring into taxis,

I could aord to hire a wheelchair service, which

greatly reduced the chance of injury. Instead of wor-

rying about losing benets and having to reapply if I

tried to work and couldnt, Ticket to Work [a Social

Security work incentive program] gave me the op-

portunity to test whether I could work again. en,

once I got a job and realized I needed a less physi-

cally demanding oneinstead of dropping out of the

workforce permanentlySocial Security helped mego back to school to make myself more competitive

in the job market.

When asked what he thinks of members of Congress

who propose cuts in guaranteed Social Security ben-

ets for disabled veterans as a way to reduce govern-

ment spending, Sherman expresses concern about the

impact such reductions could have on military mo-

rale, retention and recruitment: If thats a way this

country decides to help control government costs,that needs to be made explicit [and] presented up-

front, before we sign on the dotted line to risk our

lives as service men and women. And not just having

it in writing or explained to us by the recruiterhave

a disabled veteran right there to tell those kids what

its like living on disability benets now and how

much less theyll get if theyre disabled. And if the

new recruits sign on after that, Id say its fair; they

know what theyre signing up for.

Veterans economic security is a national issue; people

have to be willing to serve, Sherman contends. As

a father, I have to ask myself whether to encouragemy son and daughter to join the armed forces when

theyre old enough. As an individual, Id put my life

on the line out of patriotism alone, but as a parent,

your instinct is to protect both your country and your

children. ose dont feel so much like competing

objectives if you know the country will provide some

quality of life if the worst happens in the line of duty

But parents dont want to be told the countrys lead-

ers have decided the lost lives and limbs of their adult

children serving in uniform are less valuable thanthose of past generations.


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Terence (Terry) Moakley was 22 years old when

he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966, the

year American B-52s bombed North Vietnamfor the rst time.30 One year later, during a one-day

pass from base in Quantico, Virginia, Terry found him-

self ghting for his life instead of his country. Id dived

many times before, he says, recounting the accident

into the Rappahannock River that severed his spinal

cord. No one knows exactly what went wrong.

Months later, a United Spinal Association representa-

tive told Terry about Social Security disability benets

and helped him apply. After his release from 20 con-

secutive months of hospitalization, Terry used his Social

Security income to rebuild economic independence.

While the VA [Department of Veterans Aairs] paid my

tuition, Social Security helped cover my living expensesand enabled me to pursue a graduate degree from Hofstra

University at my own pace. Im a C6 quadriplegic and,

at the time, I lived with family members. I couldnt have

worked [for additional income] through my masters

[program]; everything slows down when youre a quad-

riplegic, from physically getting to my classes to having

to hire someone to type all my papers.

SERVICEMEMBERS NAME: Terence MoakleyRANK: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, until

catastrophically injured.


Social Securitys disability benets enabled him to

return to school and regain economic self-suciency

for over 30 years. At 63, he resumed Social Security

disabled worker benets because his condition

worsened, and his wife and 14-year old daughter

received Social Security as his dependents.

Disabled Veteran Terence

Moakley, his Wife, Daisy, andeir Youngest Daughter


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After several false starts, inter-

rupted by injury-related illnesses,

Terry had achieved both a masters

degree and full economic inde-

pendence by 1976. Over the next

three decades, Terry devoted his

career to broadening opportuni-

ties and accessibility for Americans

with disabilities on local, state and

national levels. Social Security

was tremendously critical to my graduate degree, and

I used that education every single day I worked.

By the time Terry was laid o at age 63 during the

recent economic downturn, his injury-related lung,

joint and spinal conditions had deteriorated severely,so he resumed Social Security disability benets.

Today, at age 66, he receives Social Security retirement

benets as well as benets from the Veterans Benets

Administration. Even though Terry is retired and deal-

ing with serious health problems, he continues to apply

his education and professional experience to making a

dierence for persons with disabilities. He serves on

the boards of several non-prot organizations, includ-

ing United Spinal Association and VetsFirst, where he

is Chairman of the Board.31

Although Terry and his family enjoy a modest stan-

dard of living, he worries about their future. He

explains, My daughters Social Security benet will

end next year [when she graduates from high school],

and Daisys ended over a year ago [when their daugh-

ter turned 16]. Daisy is still my primary caregiver,

and because shes taking care of me instead of work-

ing a paid job with a [retirement] plan, her own fu-

ture is going to suer. When Daisys older, and Imnot on this earth anymore, shell probably get 80-85

percent of her income from Social Security and 15-

20 percent from the VA [as a surviving spouse]and

it wont be enough.

Terrys concerns about his wife and daughter intensied

when he recently searched for, but didnt nd, veterans

Children receiving Social Security should

continue to get it through college; thats one

way our leaders can show they really care aboutveterans families and the nations future.

programs to assist his daughter in paying for college

or his wife in completing her nursing degree. When

asked whether he thinks Congress should consider re-

instating Social Security benets for college students

up to age 22, which were eliminated in the early 1980s

in order to reduce government spending,32 Terry saysYes, children receiving Social Security should contin-

ue to get it through college; thats one way our leaders

can show they really care about veterans families and

the nations future.


18/30


Retired Veterans

and Their Spousesor Widow(er)s

S

ocial Security is the nations largest and most im-

portant source of retirement income for American

families, including many retired veterans and their

aged spouses and widow(er)s. Data are not available on theaverage monthly benet paid to retiredveterans alone.33

However, monthly amounts paid to retired veterans likely

are comparable to those Social Security pays retired work-

ers on average$1,176, or $14,112 a year.34

Generally, retired veterans who meet the basic eligibil-

ity requirement for military retirement of twenty years

on active duty or equivalent time spent in what is

known as qualifying service as a reservist are eligible

for retirement income from the VA and the DOD,as well as Social Security.35 eir aged spouses and

widow(er)s are eligible for military and Social Security

benets as well. However, because most retired veter-

ans are not military retirees, Social Security provides

income to more aged veterans and their spouses and

widow(er)s than military retirement programs do.36

Social Security benets for veterans aged widow(er)s and

retired veterans and their dependents are based on the

same eligibility rules and benet formula as apply to work-ers in general. Starting at age 62, a spouse who has not

worked outside the home or who has low lifetime earn-

ings can be entitled to a percentage of the retired workers

full benet. Eligible spouses receive these benets until

the retired worker dies, at which point the spouse begins

receiving widow(er) benets. Starting at age 60 (or 50, if

disabled) the widow of a deceased worker who has worked

long enough under Social Security can be entitled to a

percentage of the deceased workers full benet amount.37

Specic data are not available on the benets SocialSecurity provides veterans aged spouses and aged

widow(er)s. Nevertheless, monthly amounts paid to

them likely are comparable to those Social Security pays

aged spouses and aged widow(er)s on average$580

and $1,124, respectively.38

Spouse and widow(er) provisions are an especially impor-

tant source of retirement security and peace of mind for

veterans receiving Social Security, as they are more likely

to be married than non-veterans.39 Additionally, becausethe spouses of military service members experience lower

employment rates and lifetime earnings, on average, than

those married to civilians, veterans spouses are less likely

to receive signicant Social Security retirement benets

based on their own earnings record, qualify for pension

benets through an employer, or accumulate wealth

via employer-sponsored retirement savings plans like

401(k)s.40 For many spouses and widow(er)s, of retired

veterans and non-veterans alike, Social Security benets

provide the vast majority of income in old age. For toomany, Social Security provides their only income.

Dabney and Amelia Montgomerys experience dem-

onstrates the importance of Social Security benets in

old age for veterans and their spouses. eir story also

illustrates how Social Security is often the main or only

source of income for a veterans surviving spouse.


19/30


SERVICEMEMBERS NAME: Dabney Montgomery

RANK: Private First Class, Tuskegee Airmen,

World War II.

IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SECURITY: Having

lost retirement savings to a market downturn, Social

Security currently provides 70 percent of his and his

wife Amelias retirement income.

Retired Tuskegee Airmen

Dabney Montgomeryand his Wife, Amelia

Dabney Montgomery, age 87, was deployed to

Italy in 1943 as a Ground Crewman, part of

a group of path-breaking African Americansoldiers now known as the Tuskegee Airmen. In

2007, the Tuskegee Airmen, including Dabney, were

awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in recogni-

tion of their unique military record, which inspired

revolutionary reform.41

In Dabneys words, the Tuskegee Airmen put the lie

to those white Americans at the time who didnt believe

black men were capable of performing such service.

e Tuskegee Airmens record of success in escortingbombers during World War II is unmatched by any

other ghter group.42

Home from the war, Dabney became active in

the Civil Rights Movement after he was turned

away from registering to vote in his hometown ofSelma, Alabama. A Witness to the 1963 March on

Washington, Dabney was one of Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr.s bodyguards during the historic 1965

March on Selma, the social action that paved the way

for the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Always active in bettering the world, Dabney volun

teered for 50 years with Harlem youth and spent his

professional career with the City of New York as an

employee, rst with the Department of Social Servicesand then the Housing Authority. A member of the

International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 237, he

retired as a Housing Assistant in management and be-

gan receiving Social Security retirement benets at age

65 in 1988. After retirement, Dabney worked part-

time in social work helping the elderly, both because he

enjoyed it and to supplement his retirement income.


20/30


Today, Dabney and his wife, Amelia, receive 70 percent

of their income from Social Security, with the rest from

Dabneys employer pension. Even though our income

is very modest, says Dabney, we felt secure because

we had money put aside in Amelias IRA [Individual

Retirement Account] that we werent touching. Im 19

years older than my wife, and we knew that Amelia

would need those savings to supplement her Social

Security when I depart from this earth.

But, by 2003, those savings were gone. e nancial

advisor they trusted, who had assured the couple their

account was adequately diversied, proved to have

been guiding them to nancial ruin. An incredulous

tone underlies Amelias voice: By the end of 2003, it

was lost. All of it, completely gone.

What does Dabney think of scaling back the Social

Security benets promised under current law for to-

morrows retirees in order to reduce the federal decit

or control government spending? ese politicians

who want to cut or privatize Social Security dont have

to worry about food, healthcare, losing their homes,

replies Dabney. Its nothing but pretense when poli-

ticians use concern for future generations to dictate

how much of our money Wall Street will be gamblingwith, how many more years people will have to work

before they can retire, [and] how much less seniors

can have to live on.

When asked if the Montgomerys and future retirees

like themselves could live on less, Dabney says, I

worked 72 years. My wife and I have to budget care-

fully to make it from one check to another. We own

our home, but we had to do major repairs, and that has

to come out of our checks. If we had to live on just 5or 10 percent less Social Security right now, wed have

to cut back on everything home repairs, heat, food, a

decent standard of living. A few dollars doesnt sound

like much to a U.S. Senator. For me, its the dierence

between having the money to hire someone to shovel

our steps in the winter or not. Im 87 years old; I cant

shovel snow anymore.

Dabney continues, We missed those few dollars

from not getting a cost of living increase [from Social

Security] this year. Our checks didnt go up but prices

did. e cost of milk has gone up; heating oil has gone

up. We worry about those things, but what I worry

about most is my wifes future. Weve worked and

saved and budgeted our money carefully throughout

the 39 years of our marriage, and when I depart from

this life, I dont know what Amelia is going to do, howshes going to make ends meet.

Will Parryof Seattle, Washington, served

in World War II in the Atlantic and Pacic the-

aters aboard a corevette and an attack transport

ship. He earned $21 a month when he entered

military service as an apprentice seaman. Today

at age 90, Will depends on his Social Security

benet of $1,291 per month, in addition to a

small $200 monthly pension from his work at a

corrugated box factory and another very mod-

est pension of $870.

Social Security is over half of my income, said

Will. And most importantly, Social Security

always arrives in the correct amount, on the cor-

rect date, and in the correct bank account, with

administrative overhead of about 1 percent.

Show me the private insurance company that

can match that record. Will is a widower who

worked until he was age 75. He has two grown

children and three grandchildren.


21/30


Social Security is meant to be the base of in-

come, but for too many women veterans, it is

their main or only source, observes BrigadierGeneral Pat Foote, USA (Ret), who served over 30 years

of active duty with the United States Army and current-

ly serves on a number of boards, including the Alliance

for National Defense, the Army Womens Foundation

Advisory Board, and the Board of Directors of the

Friends of the World War II Memorial Foundation.43

Women currently comprise 200,888, or 14.3 percent,

of the Department of Defenses active duty force and

Congress rst cut should be to eliminate the health

and retirement benets for themselves that go be-

yond whats available to regular federal employees.

Members of Congress should lead by example.

-Brigadier general Pat Foote,

USa (ret)

Women

Veterans

8 percent of all veterans.44 By 2035, the Department

of Veterans Aairs anticipates women will comprise 15

percent of the total veteran population.45

Many who serve, men and women alike, dont become

military retirees because they dont have enough service

time; its their savings, Social Security and retirement

benets from civilian work that will mostly determine

their retirement income, says Brigadier General Foote.

Making the transition from military service to eco-

nomically-secure civilian employment is a challenge for

many veterans, men and women alike. When you addthe challenges facing women veterans in particular (like

lower employment rates than male veterans) to those

disproportionately facing American women in genera

(like primary responsibilities for child-rearing), women

veterans are a group at risk, now and in old age. Were

seeing this in the alarming and unprecedented rise in

the percent of homeless veterans who are women.46


22/30

19 SOCIAL SECURITY: SERVING THOSE WHO SERVE OUR NATION

Commissioned in 1960, Brigadier General Foote com-

manded soldiers at the company, battalion, brigade

and major installation levels of authority. She was the

rst woman Army ocer to serve on the faculty of

the U.S. Army War College, the rst woman ocer

to command an Army brigade in Europe, and the rst

and only woman to be appointed the Army Deputy

Inspector General for Inspections.

Brigadier General Foote counts among the many les-

sons from her long and distinguished military career

one on the importance of Social Security to veterans:

Social Security is the dierence in quality of lifethe

dierence in how well veterans take care of themselves

and those who depend on them. And because women

veterans face particular challenges, Social Security is es-

pecially vital to women veterans.

When asked what message she has for Congressional

leaders who are considering Social Security benet

cuts, Brigadier General Foote responds, Instead of

targeting veterans very modest base of essential in-

come protection, start with members of Congress

own retirement package. Congress rst cut should

be to eliminate the health and retirement benets

they get that go beyond whats available to regular

federal employees. Members of Congress should lead

by example.


23/30


Americas Social Security benets are modest, yetvitally important to those who place themselves

in harms way in service to our nation. Whether

receiving Social Security as a retiree, disabled worker

or survivor, veterans and their family members told

us time and again, that every dollar of Social Security

counts in meeting basic expenses, attaining quality of

life, and building a better future for themselves and

those who depend on them; even small Social Security

benet cuts would mean real sacrice.

All said political leaders should restore scal discipline

without going back on this countrys promises to vet-

erans, including the promise of Social Security. In

addition, a number identied areas of need for Social

Security benet extensions and increases, especially

for spouses who provide primary care to severely dis-

abled veterans and for children ineligible for scholar-

ships that fully cover post-secondary educational and

living expenses.47

Despite veterans and their families message that Social

Security is essential, some political leaders are consider-

ing options that would cut Social Security benets even

more than they are being cut under current law. (Social

Securitys retired worker benets are being cut by 13

percent under current law, because the retirement age

is being raised from 65 to 67. Benets would be cut

another 13 percent if the retirement age were increased

from 67 to 69, as some in Congress propose.)48

Considering how our nation depends on an all-volun-

teer military force, whose members and their families

depend on Social Security, we urge political leaders to

fully engage veterans and veterans organizations in the

national discussion about Social Securitys future. On

behalf of the veterans and family members who shared

their experiences for this report, and millions of others

like them now and in the future, we further urge politi-

cal leaders to give the stake of veterans in the future ofSocial Security the overdue attention it deserves.

Veterans and their family members

told us time and again even small

Social Security benet cuts would

mean real sacrice.

StrengthenSocial Security

for Veterans andTheir Families


24/30


ENDNOTES

1 Olsen, Anya and Samantha OLeary, Military Veterans and Social Security: 2010 Update, Social Security Bullen, Vol. 71, No.

2, 2011, Social Security Administraon, Oce of Rerement and Disability Policy, Table 1: Characteriscs of military veterans

and Social Security beneciaries, 2010, (accessed 05/13/11 at: hp://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v71n2/v71n2p1.pdf

2 Ibid, p. 1.

3 See note 1, supra, stang that Individuals with acve-duty military service or acve-duty training have been covered under

the Social Security program since January 1, 1957, (p. 6) and Social Security has covered inacve-duty service in the armed

forces reserves (such as weekend drills) since 1988 (p. 18).

4 See note 1, supra, p. 5.

5 Over 1.4 million men and women are on acve duty, reports the United States of America Department of Defense as of

02/07/11 (hp://www.defense.gov/about/). Spouse and child esmates are from Demographics 2009, Prole of the Military

Community, Oce of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military Community and Family Policy), under contract with ICF

Internaonal, United States of America Department of Defense (accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/

QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdf). Child gure cited here includes only

those ages 18 and younger, although in some instances, Social Security benets may be payable to children older than age 18.

6 Veterans and their family members interviewed for this report and quoted herein shared their stories exclusively as indi-viduals and not as representaves of any veterans organizaons with which they may be aliated or from which they may

receive earnings or compensaon of any kind.

7 Calculaon is based on a 30-year-old worker with earnings between $25,000 and $30,000, a 28-year-old spouse, a child age

two, and an infant under the age of one. Source: Clingman, Michael, Orlo Nichols, and Chris Chaplain. 2007. Illustrave

Benets for Rered Workers, Disabled Workers, and Survivors Scheduled Under Current Law. Actuarial Note No. 2007.4.

Social Security Administraon, Oce of the Chief Actuary: Balmore, MD.

8 Demographics 2009, Prole of the Military Community, Oce of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Military

Community and Family Policy), under contract with ICF Internaonal, United States of America Department of Defense

(accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_

Demographics_Report.pdf).

9 Social Security Administraon, News Release: Social Security Expedites Survivors and Disability Applicaons for Military Service

Members, May 25, 2007 (accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoce/pr/memorial-day2007-pr.htm).

10 The count as of February 20, 2011 is 5,885 total fatalies from Operaon Iraqi Freedom and Operaon Enduring Freedom.

Source: The Washington Post, Faces of the Fallen (accessed 05/18/11 at: hp://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/).

Number of children of fallen servicemen is from the following: More than 4,100 children are grieving the death of a parent

who served in the military and died in Iraq or Afghanistan, esmates the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS).

Source: Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), Child Traumac Grief: TAPS Oers Webinar Training November 16,

Press Release November 12, 2010 (accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://www.taps.org/release.aspx?id=4698).

11 Glantz, Aaron Aer Service, Veteran Deaths Surge, The New York Times, October 16, 2010 (accessed 3/09/11 at: hp://

www.nymes.com/2010/10/17/us/17bcvets.html).

12 Department of Defense, A Survivors Guide to Benets: Taking Care of Our Families, February 23, 2011, pp. 13-17 (accessed

05/13/11 at: hps://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/Service%20

Providers/Casualty%20Assistance/Survivors%20Guide.pdf).

13 Reno, Virginia P. Anita Cardwell, and Joni Lavery, Survivor Benets for Families of Deceased Servicemembers and Overseas

Contract Workers, Social Security BriefNo. 23, October 2006, Naonal Academy of Social Insurance, Washington,

DC: November 2006 (accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://www.nasi.org/research/2006/survivor-benets-families-deceased-

servicemembers-overseas).

14 An esmated 97 percent of covered workers ages 2049 have Social Security survivor protecon. Source: Lavery, Joni and

Virginia P. Reno Childrens Stake in Social Security Social Security BriefNo. 27, Naonal Academy of Social Insurance,

Washington, DC: February 2008 (accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://www.nasi.org/sites/default/les/research/SS_Brief_027.pdf).

15 Aged widows and widowers can be eligible for benets if the aged widow(er) is age 60 or older. (The same somemes

applies to surviving aged divorced spouses.) In certain cases, benets based on a deceased workers earnings record are
http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v71n2/v71n2p1.pdfhttp://www.defense.gov/about/http://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/memorial-day2007-pr.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/memorial-day2007-pr.htmhttp://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/http://www.taps.org/release.aspx?id=4698http://www.taps.org/release.aspx?id=4698http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/us/17bcvets.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/us/17bcvets.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/us/17bcvets.htmlhttps://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL%20Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/Service%20Providers/Casualty%20Assistance/Survivors%20Guide.pdfhttps://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL%20Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/Service%20Providers/Casualty%20Assistance/Survivors%20Guide.pdfhttp://www.nasi.org/research/2006/survivor-benefits-families-deceased-servicemembers-overseashttp://www.nasi.org/research/2006/survivor-benefits-families-deceased-servicemembers-overseashttp://www.nasi.org/research/2006/survivor-benefits-families-deceased-servicemembers-overseashttp://www.nasi.org/sites/default/files/research/SS_Brief_027.pdfhttp://www.nasi.org/sites/default/files/research/SS_Brief_027.pdfhttp://www.nasi.org/research/2006/survivor-benefits-families-deceased-servicemembers-overseashttp://www.nasi.org/research/2006/survivor-benefits-families-deceased-servicemembers-overseashttps://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL%20Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/Service%20Providers/Casualty%20Assistance/Survivors%20Guide.pdfhttps://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL%20Library/Project%20Documents/MilitaryHOMEFRONT/Service%20Providers/Casualty%20Assistance/Survivors%20Guide.pdfhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/us/17bcvets.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/17/us/17bcvets.htmlhttp://www.taps.org/release.aspx?id=4698http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/http://www.socialsecurity.gov/pressoffice/pr/memorial-day2007-pr.htmhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://cs.mhf.dod.mil/content/dav/mhf/QOL-Library/PDF/MHF/QOL%20Resources/Reports/2009_Demographics_Report.pdfhttp://www.defense.gov/about/http://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v71n2/v71n2p1.pdf


25/30


payable as early as age 50 if the widow or widower is disabled, even if not caring for a child under age 16. Although unusual,

benets also may be payable to dependent parents based on a deceased workers earnings record.

16 For such students, benets will connue unl the child graduates or unl two months aer the child becomes age 19,

whichever is rst. Source: Social Security Administraon, Benets For Your Children, Online Disability Planner (accessed

03/16/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htm). A dependent child can be a workers biological child or

an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild.

17 Average mothers and fathers benets based on 2009 data, the most recent available. Source: Social Security Administraon,Table 5.F6Average monthly benet for survivors, by type of benet, December 19402009, selected years (in dollars),

Annual Stascal Supplement to the Social Security Bullen, 2010, Oce of Rerement and Disability Policy, Oce of

Research, Evaluaon, and Stascs, Washington, DC: February 2011 (accessed 03/09/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/

policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f6).

Average benets for all children of deceased workers is based on 2009 data, the most recent available. Source: Social Security

Administraon, Table 5.F4Number of children and total monthly benets, by type of benet, December 19402009,

selected years (in dollars),Annual Stascal Supplement to the Social Security Bullen, 2010 Oce of Rerement and

Disability Policy, Oce of Research, Evaluaon, and Stascs, Washington, DC: February 2011 (accessed 03/09/11 at: hp://

www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4).

Monthly family benets are subject to a maximum based on the deceased earners wage record.

18 Calculaons based on same worker and family example as in note 7, supra.

An esmated 91 percent of covered workers ages 2164 are insured against disability. Source: Lavery, Joni and Virginia P.

Reno Childrens Stake in Social Security Social Security BriefNo. 27, Naonal Academy of Social Insurance, Washington, DC:

February 2008 (accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://www.nasi.org/sites/default/les/research/SS_Brief_027.pdf).

19 Social Security Administraon, Disability Benets for Wounded Warriors, Social Security Online (accessed 03/16/11 at:

hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors/).

20 All else equal, todays historically high wounded-in-acon in-theater survival rate increases the likelihood of servicemembers

returning from war with severe physical injuries causing permanent or prolonged periods of disability. We are saving lives of

wounded troops who would not have survived even 10 years ago. The wounded-in-acon in-theater survival rate [for Operaon

Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operaon Iraqi Freedom (OIF)] has been 97 percent, compared with 75 percent in World War II

and 81 percent in Vietnam. Source: Cassells, S. Ward (2008) Statement on Future of Military Health System by the Honorable

S. Ward Cassells, MD, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Aairs [April 2007 through April 2009], Before the Subcommiee

on Military Personnel; Armed Services Commiee, United States House of Representaves, March 12, 2008.Contemporary medicine increasingly screens for, recognizes, and treats mental illnesses. More men and women in uniform

than ever before are diagnosed with combat-related mental and emoonal disorders, such as Post-Traumac Stress Disorder

(PTSD) and severe traumac brain injury. As of June 30, 2010, the Department of Veterans Aairs treated 594,000 Operaon

Enduring Freedom/Operaon Iraqi Freedom veteran paents. Of those treated, 50 percent were diagnosed with at least

one mental health condion by the Department of Veterans Aairs. Of those, 29 percent were diagnosed with PTSD by the

Department of Veterans Aairs. (Source: Reno, Jamie VCS Releases New Mental Health Stascs Obtained Under FOIA from

VA, Veterans for Common Sense: November 2, 2010, accessed 03/09/11 at: hp://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/

index.php/veterans-category-arcles/1979-jamie-reno). Although many who experience mental and emoonal disorders

connue to funcon occupaonally, others experience severe mental illnesses causing, or contribung to, severe disabilies.

The growing recognion of mental illnesses over recent decades has led to more Social Security disability determinaons

than would have previously been made.

21

See note 1, supra, p. 7. Table 3Characteriscs of veterans under age 66 who report receiving Social Security disability ben -ets, 2010; and Chart 1Average monthly Social Security benet amounts, by age in 2010. Average benet range esmated

by principal author, based on ages 49 and younger and ages 50-61. Note that this average is roughly equivalent to the average

benet received by all disabled worker men. Source: Social Security Administraon, Table 5.ENumber and percentage distri-

buon, by primary insurance amount and type of benet, December 2009,Annual Stascal Supplement to the Social Security

Bullen, 2010 Oce of Rerement and Disability Policy, Oce of Research, Evaluaon, and Stascs, Washington, DC: February

2011 (accessed 03/09/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5e.html).

22 Statement of Michael Walco, Acng Under Secretary for Benets, Veterans Benets Administraon, U.S. Department of

Veterans Aairs, before the Senate Commiee on Veterans Aairs, July 14, 2010 (accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://veterans.sen-

ate.gov/hearings.cfm?acon=release.display&release_id=fd5705a7-d80f-4340-b156-7e021b95f1d4).
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f6http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f6http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f6http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.nasi.org/sites/default/files/research/SS_Brief_027.pdfhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors/http://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.php/veterans-category-articles/1979-jamie-renohttp://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.php/veterans-category-articles/1979-jamie-renohttp://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.php/veterans-category-articles/1979-jamie-renohttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5e.htmlhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5e.htmlhttp://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=fd5705a7-d80f-4340-b156-7e021b95f1d4http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=fd5705a7-d80f-4340-b156-7e021b95f1d4http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=fd5705a7-d80f-4340-b156-7e021b95f1d4http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=fd5705a7-d80f-4340-b156-7e021b95f1d4http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=fd5705a7-d80f-4340-b156-7e021b95f1d4http://veterans.senate.gov/hearings.cfm?action=release.display&release_id=fd5705a7-d80f-4340-b156-7e021b95f1d4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5e.htmlhttp://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.php/veterans-category-articles/1979-jamie-renohttp://www.veteransforcommonsense.org/index.php/veterans-category-articles/1979-jamie-renohttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors/http://www.nasi.org/sites/default/files/research/SS_Brief_027.pdfhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f6http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f6http://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htm


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23 See note 8, supra.


25 Average spouses monthly benet amounts from 2009 data, the most recent available. Social Security Administraon,

Table 5.F1Number of wives and husbands and total monthly benets, by type of benet, December 19502009,Annual

Stascal Supplement to the Social Security Bullen, 2010, Oce of Rerement and Disability Policy, Oce of Research,

Evaluaon, and Stascs, Washington, DC: February 2011 (accessed 03/09/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/

statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f1).

Benets for disabled workers spouses are payable if the spouse is providing care to a disabled workers dependent child

under age 16 or disabled, and/or if the spouse is age 62 or older. Divorced spouses are also eligible in some instances.

Esmates are not available for veterans children in parcular. Average childrens benets based on 2009 data, the most

recent available. Social Security Administraon, Table 5.F4Number of children and total monthly benets, by type of

benet, December 19402009, selected years (in dollars),Annual Stascal Supplement to the Social Security Bullen,

2010, Oce of Rerement and Disability Policy, Oce of Research, Evaluaon, and Stascs, Washington, DC: February 2011

(accessed 03/09/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4).

Benets for disabled workers dependent children normally stop when children reach age 18 unless they are disabled. A

dependent child can be a workers biological child or an adopted child, or, in some cases, a stepchild or grandchild. Children

under age 18, if under age 19 if sll in school, must be in elementary or secondary school full me. In rare instances,

benets are payable to dependent parents based on a disabled workers earnings record. (For more informaon, see Social

Security Administraon, Social Security Online, Benets for Your Children: Disability Planner, accessed 03/16/11 at: hp://

www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htm).

Monthly family benets are subject to a maximum based on the disabled earner s wage record.

26 Such disabled young adults receive adult disabled childrens benets.

27 Social Securitys Ticket to Work program provides employment services, vocaonal rehabilitaon services, and other sup-

port services necessary to achieve a vocaonal (work) goal and also provides benets and health care coverage during trial

work periods designed to help with the transion back to work. Source: Social Security Administraon, The Ticket To Work

Program And Other Work Incenves, Electronic Fact Sheet, SSA Publicaon No. 05-10060, Social Security Online: December

2008 (accessed 03/16/11 at hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10060.pdf).

28 Examples include the U.S. Department of Veterans Aairs Veterans Benets Administraons Vocaonal Rehabilitaon and

Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program.

29 Sherman Gillums Jr.s shared his experiences, views, and concerns as an individual veteran. His views and opinions do not

necessarily reect those of his employer, Paralyzed Veterans of America, or its membership, or those of any other veterans

organizaon with which he is or has been aliated.

30 Source: Public Broadcasng Service,American Experience, Vietnam Online (accessed 03/15/11 at: hp://www.pbs.org/

wgbh/amex/vietnam/meline/tl3.html#a).

31 Terence Moakleys views and concerns do not necessarily reect those of United Spinal Associaon, VetsFirst, or any other

veterans organizaon for which he provides leadership or with which he is or has been aliated. He shared his experiences,

views, and opinions as an individual veteran.

32 Legislaon in 1981 repealed the provision of Social Security benets (aer 1983) for dependent young adult children, up to

age 22, who are enrolled in post-secondary educaon.

33 As previously discussed, data are only available on the average monthly Social Security disability, rerement, and survivor

benets paid to veterans: $1,289 in 2010, or about $15,500 a year, as described in the Execuve Summary. Source: See note1, supra p. 5.

34 Rered worker benets obtained from: Table 2Social Security benets, September 2010. Source: Social Security

Administraon, Monthly Stascal Snapshot, December 2010, Oce of Research, Stascs, & Policy Analysis: January 2011

(accessed on 02/07/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/).

35 Army Times: November 30, 2006, accessed 03/20/11 at: hp://www.armymes.com/careers/rerement/

military_rerement_2007hbml/).

36 Although military rerees ages 62 and older are eligible for Social Security rerement benets, it is not the case that most

rered veterans eligible for Social Security are also eligible for military rerement benets. The Oce of Management and
http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f1http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f1http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f1http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10060.pdfhttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/timeline/tl3.html#ahttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/timeline/tl3.html#ahttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/timeline/tl3.html#ahttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/http://www.armytimes.com/careers/retirement/military_retirement_2007hbml/http://www.armytimes.com/careers/retirement/military_retirement_2007hbml/http://www.armytimes.com/careers/retirement/military_retirement_2007hbml/http://www.armytimes.com/careers/retirement/military_retirement_2007hbml/http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/quickfacts/stat_snapshot/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/timeline/tl3.html#ahttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/vietnam/timeline/tl3.html#ahttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10060.pdfhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/dibplan/dfamily4.htmhttp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f4http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f1http://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f1


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Budgets FY 2002 baseline projecons state that about 7 percent of veterans are military rerees ... FY 2002 baseline projec

ons, United States Oce of Management and Budget, Washington, DC: 2001, p. 177 (accessed 05/18/11 at: hp://www.cfo

doe.gov/budget/02budget/appendix/Clinton%20Baseline.pdf).

37 Spouses may claim Social Security benets based on a rered workers earnings record if spouses are age 62 or older, or

younger than 62, if they are taking care of a rered workers child under age 16 or disabled. Others who may be eligible

for benets based on a workers rerement include former spouses; children up to age 18, or up to 19 if they are full-me

students who have not yet graduated from high school; and disabled children, even if they are age 18 or older. Also note thatSocial Security rerement benets are available for rered workers and their dependents as early as age 62, but are reduced,

based on age, when claimed before full rerement age (age 67 for persons born 1960 and later).

38 For data on spouses: Social Security Administraon, Monthly Stascal Snapshot, December 2010, Table 2. Social Security

benets, December 2010, (released January 2011), accessed 02/11/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/quick-

facts/stat_snapshot/ Note table footnote stang that spouses who are dually entled to a spouse benet as well as a higher

rered worker benet are usually counted only once in the stascs, as a rered-worker. Hence, average monthly benets

paid to dually entled spouses are not included in the $580 gure.

For data on non-disabled widows: principal authors calculaon based on Social Security Administraon, Table 5.F8Number

of widow(er)s and total monthly benets, by type of benet, December 19502009,Annual Stascal Supplement

to the Social Security Bullen, 2010, Oce of Rerement and Disability Policy, Oce of Research, Evaluaon, and

Stascs, Washington, DC: February 2011 (accessed 03/09/11 at: hp://www.socialsecurity.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/

supplement/2010/5f.html#table5.f8).39 See note 1, supra, p 2.

40 Nelson Lim, Daniela Golinelli, Michelle Cho, Working Around the Military, Revisited Spouse Employment in the 2000 Census

Data, Prepared for the Oce of the Secretary of Defense, Rand Naonal Defense Research Instute, Santa Monica, CA: 2007.

41 Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen, Public Law 109213April 11, 2006 (accessed 03/15/11 at: hp://

www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-109publ213/pdf/PLAW-109publ213.pdf).

42 Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and the Tuskegee University Oce of Markeng and Communicaon, Tuskegee Airmen Facts (accessed

on 02/11/11 at: hp://www.tuskegee.edu/about_us/legacy_of_fame/tuskegee_airmen/tuskegee_airmen_facts.aspx).

43 Brigadier General Foote shared her experse, experiences, and views as an individual and not as a representave of any

veterans organizaons for which she provides leadership or with which she is or has been aliated.


Quick Facts, Naonal Center for Veterans Analysis and Stascs, United States Department of Veterans Aairs, p.15 (accessed

03/15/11 at: hp://www.va.gov/vetdata/docs/QuickFacts/populaon_quickfacts.pdf).

45 Ibid., Quick Facts.

46 For more informaon, see Domesc Disservice: Homeless Women Veterans Need More HelpGrowing Numbers are on the

Street, Folayemi Agbede, Center for American Progress, Washington, DC: November 10, 2010 (accessed 03/15/11 at: hp://

www.americanprogress.org/issues/2010/11/domesc_disservice.html).

47 For informaon about eligibility for the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship and all other educaonal

benets oered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Aairs, see The GI Bill Website at: hp://www.gibill.va.gov/. Public

Law 111-32, the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, amends the Post-9/11 GI Bill (chapter 33) to include

the children of service members who die in the line of duty aer September 10, 2001 (U.S. Department of Veterans Aairs,

Fact SheetPost-9/11 GI Bill: Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, accessed 04/22/11 at: hp://www.gibill.

va.gov/documents/factsheets/fry_scholarship.pdf).48 See Social Security Administraon, Eect of Early or Delayed Rerement on Rerement Benets, 2010. Available at hp://

www.ssa.gov/OACT/ProgData/ar_drc.html. Each one-year increase represents a cut of 6 percent to 7 percent.
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VETERANS POPULATION BY STATE

STATENUMBER OF LIVING

VETERANS

Alabama 405,624

Alaska 77,025

Arizona 556,729

Arkansas 254,664

California 1,971,959

Colorado 421,342

Connecticut 229,734

Delaware 78,247

District of Columbia 37,268

Florida 1,650,876

Georgia 773,858

Hawaii 116,166

Idaho 136,625

Illinois 782,747

Indiana 491,605

Iowa 234,552

Kansas 225,091

Kentucky 335,670

Louisiana 304,889

Maine 138,551

Maryland 471,238

Massachusetts 393,722

Michigan 703,970

Minnesota 381,309

Mississippi 205,644

STATENUMBER OF LIVING

VETERANS

Missouri 505,916

Montana 102,015

Nebraska 145,237

Nevada 243,867

New Hampshire 127,964

New Jersey 443,161

New Mexico 174,687

New York 950,417

North Carolina 765,942

North Dakota 56,310

Oklahoma 324,714

Oregon 333,752

Pennsylvania 964,132

Rhode Island 71,216

South Carolina 406,729

South Dakota 71,762

Tennessee 495,766

Texas 1,693,791

Utah 153,623

Vermont 52,082

Virginia 822,312

Washington 632,210

West Virginia 167,182

Wisconsin 417,654

Wyoming 55,850

e table shows the population of veterans in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. (It does not include

veterans living abroad.) e number of veterans receiving Social Security benets by state is not available, but

nationwide about 4 out of 10 veterans receive benets. e vast majority of those veterans not yet receiving Social

Security benets will receive them in the future.

Source: National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics, Department of Veterans Affairs, September 2010


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Social Security: Serving Tose Who Serve Our Nation

DATA HIGHLIGHTS

Sevng Ou Ntons VetensSocial Security currently pays benets to over 9 million veteransabout 4 in 10 veterans.

irty-ve percent of adult Social Security beneciaries are veterans and their families.

e average monthly benet of Social Security beneciaries who are veterans was $1,289 in 2010, or $15,500 a year.

Nearly all veterans who are not Social Security beneciaries at this time will become so in the future.

Social Security provides income to many more aged veterans and their spouses and widow(er)s than military retiremenprograms do, because most retired veterans are not military retirees.

insung ods Mt Communt

Social Securitys life insurance, disability insurance, and old age annuity protections apply to members of todays militarycommunity and their dependent family members.

e vast majority of the Active Duty communitys 1.4 million members, 700,000 spouses and 1.2 million children, andthe Total Selected Reserve communitys 1.1 million members, 400,000 spouses and 650,000 children, are eligible forSocial Securitys disability and life insurance benets if a service member becomes severely disabled or dies.

Recognizing the importance of Social Securitys life insurance and disability insurance protection for military families, theSocial Security Administration expedites the processing of disability and survivors benet claims for the families of servicemembers who die or are severely disabled while on active military service.

Sevng Vetens Suvvng young Wdows nd Chden

A service member earning between $25,000 and $30,000 who is supporting a spouse and two young